Matthew 23:1-12

What Can’t Be Seen

Jesus was speaking to crowds of people and also to his disciples, teaching them about the importance of being humble. He used, as an example, certain people of that time and he said of them, “… all their works they do to be seen by men…” (23:5).

To understand this idea of being humble, let’s use the example of a carrot. You know – Bugs Bunny’s favorite food! Carrots have been around for thousands of years and they are one of the best foods you can eat to stay healthy. They taste good too. They are loaded with vitamins, especially vitamin A, which helps you have good eyesight. Eating carrots even helps you see better at night. Carrots also prevent many diseases.

Wow, it seems like carrots are just packed with power and all of this good work happens in the soil where it can’t be seen. What shows above the ground is the carrot’s feathery green top. After the carrot has had time to grow it is pulled from the garden’s soil and then we are able to see the orange carrot which is so beautiful it seems to glow.

I think this is what Jesus was trying to teach – that we should do our work because it is good work and the right thing to do, not because we want other people to see what we are doing and praise us for it. If the work we do is good it will benefit others; it will be a beautiful, powerful thing.

Jesus also said, “… and whoever humbles himself will be exalted” (23:12).